Columbus Junction officials want to improve the sidewalks in their town, but one says a new plan is necessary to do so. The current system under which sidewalks are built is voluntary. Property owners must first inform the city of the plan, but those owners install sidewalks themselves.

Columbus Junction Community Development Center Director Mallory Smith says she and council member Hal Prior have developed a framework for a plan that would maintain the old system’s cost-sharing policy, but the new plan would designate “high priority” areas to be focused on first.

Smith says the new sidewalk program would have annual goals and likely phases spanning five years. She says after more discussion on the project, a more detailed plan will be presented at the August 3rd city council meeting.